New Ulm soccer team heads to state

The New Ulm U17 boys summer soccer team is heading to the state tournament after becoming champions at the Southwest District Tournament last weekend.

Chris Flores @Kovar_SEsports

The New Ulm U17 boys summer soccer team is heading to the state tournament after becoming champions at the Southwest District Tournament last weekend.

The team finished 7-2-1 in the district, second place behind Worthington. After defeating Waseca 3-2 in the semi-final in Mankato on July 12, the boys narrowly escaped with a 3-2 victory over Worthington the next day to claim the championship.

The 3-2 victory on Sunday started strong for New Ulm, after Josh Koelpin hit in a close range shot from an assist by Noah Webb at the 10 minute mark. However, Worthington tied it up just 15 minutes later and scored another goal later in the half to take the 2-1 lead.

New Ulm equalized halfway through the second by defender Alex Bumgarner. Fortunately for New Ulm, Worthington committed a foul in the goal box late in the second half, and Jacob Rakoczy converted the penalty kick to take the game.

It wasn’t New Ulm’s first close game with Worthington, as the teams tied 3-3 earlier in July.

“We had a couple of very tight, hard-fought games with Worthington during the regular season, but we couldn’t get the win until today,” New Ulm Coach Paul Koelpin said.

New Ulm will begin pool play at the state tournament in Hugo, on July 20 where it will take on Hermantown. The next day, the team will play Winona and the winner of the pool will play in the state championship on July 26 in Shakopee.